After passing on Watson, Browns will see him in action

Haunted by the decision to pass twice on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first round of the NFL draft, the winless Cleveland Browns will compete against the rookie standout Sunday at NRG Stadium.

Instead of drafting Watson first overall, the Browns picked Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett before trading the 12th overall pick to the Texans. That’s when the Texans pulled the trigger on Watson, the Rookie of the Year candidate who’s passed for a dozen touchdowns in five games.

The 0-5 Browns benched rookie DeShone Kizer, a second-round draft pick from Notre Dame who had three touchdowns and nine interceptions before being replaced by Kevin Hogan.

“Well, right now I’m not going to really get into that pick,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said. “Deshaun plays for Houston and he’s doing a fantastic job for them, just like everybody knew he would. He’s playing well, obviously leading their offense, throwing touchdowns every week, and so that’s good for him.

“Obviously our situation, we’re going to start a young man by the name of Kevin Hogan and we’re looking for him to go out and play well for us.”

Kizer struggled last week while Hogan led the Browns on two scoring drives. Hogan has completed 62.5 percent of his career throws with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

On Sunday, Hogan will become the Browns’ 28th different starting quarterback since the team was relaunched in 1999.

“I see a guy that’s improved,” Jackson said. “(He) did a really good job in the offseason of working out some fundamental things to improve.”

QB dazzles with sleight of hand

Deshaun Watson instinctively reacted when an approaching Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman took a swipe at the football in his right hand Sunday night.

Watson utilized a bit of sleight of hand, operating like a well-practiced magician as he adeptly switched the football from his right hand to his left and back again before delivering a touchdown pass to wide receiver Will Fuller.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know I did it until after the game,” Watson said. “I saw it on social media and people were sending it to me. So, honestly, I couldn’t even tell you how I did it. Just my instincts were telling me to switch the ball because he’s coming for my right arm.

“I always keep my eyes downfield, and once I did that, stepped over, set my feet and I saw Will running. I gave him a shot.”

Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan marvels at how Watson makes plays like that one.

“Seriously, he’s got a knack, he’s a great ball handler, but some things he just does naturally that makes you shake your head,” Ryan said. “Can’t take credit for that one.”

Guard Johnson added to roster

The Texans signed former Pitt offensive guard Dorian Johnson off of the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.

A former all-conference blocker, Johnson was drafted in the fourth round.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien recruited Johnson when he was coaching at Penn state.

“I would put him in the developmental category,” O’Brien said. “I would tell you that we really, coach (Mike) Devlin and I, had him pretty highly ranked when we studied him in the draft. I’ve known Dorian for a long time. “

Clowney misses practice but OK

Outside linebackerdefensive end Jadeveon Clowney didn’t practice Wednesday due to a knee injury.

Clowney isn’t expected to be sidelined Sunday.

Meanwhile, cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph (groin) and Kareem Jackson (hamstring) and Kevin Johnson (sprained knee) didn’t practice, along with linebackers Benardrick McKinney (hip) and Ben Heeney (knee), safety Corey Moore (concussion) and running back Jordan Todman (calf ).

Rookie running back D’Onta Foreman (hip) was limited, along with guard Kyle Fuller (hamstring), center Greg Mancz (knee), guard Xavier Su’a-Filo (knee) and long snapper Jon Weeks (knee).

Cornerback close to returning

Cornerback Kevin Johnson will miss his fourth consecutive game because of a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

However, Johnson is making steady progress in his recovery from an injury that was forecasted for him to miss four to six weeks.

Johnson could return for a game against the Seattle Seahawks in two weeks following the Texans’ off week.

The former first-round draft pick from Wake Forest has resumed running, but isn’t practicing yet. Johnson suffered a Jones fracture in his foot that required surgery after each of the past two seasons.